The Siege of AR-558
- Episode aired Nov 18, 1998
- TV-PG
- 45m
Capt. Sisko and his away team volunteer to stay with a besieged unit at an isolated outpost.Capt. Sisko and his away team volunteer to stay with a besieged unit at an isolated outpost.Capt. Sisko and his away team volunteer to stay with a besieged unit at an isolated outpost.
- Lieutenant Ezri Dax
- (as Nicole deBoer)
- Jake Sisko
- (credit only)
- M'Pella
- (uncredited)
- Bajoran Pah-wraith Follower
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe scene where Quark describes to Nog what happens when Humans' creature comforts are taken away is one of Armin Shimerman's favorite scenes he has ever performed on the show.
- GoofsCaptain Sisko is informed only after he beams down to the planet that the captain and first officer of the Starfleet forces there had been killed days earlier. There is no reason this information would have been kept from Starfleet Command or Captain Sisko.
- Quotes
Quark: Let me tell you something about Hew-mons, Nephew. They're a wonderful, friendly people, as long as their bellies are full and their holosuites are working. But take away their creature comforts, deprive them of food, sleep, sonic showers, put their lives in jeopardy over an extended period of time and those same friendly, intelligent, wonderful people... will become as nasty and as violent as the most bloodthirsty Klingon. You don't believe me? Look at those faces. Look in their eyes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (2018)
- SoundtracksStar Trek: Deep Space Nine - Main Title
Written by Dennis McCarthy
The filmmakers create a suitably harsh and oppressive atmosphere on AR-558 and the writers include battle-weary guest characters who are more like soldiers than traditional Starfleet types. Actors like Raymond Crus, Patrick Kilpatrick, and Bill Mumy play the roles well. As to how plausible it is having these types in Starfleet is debatable as it has never been portrayed as an overly militaristic organisation. You could argue a prediction that war might not even be fought by soldiers on the ground in the 24th century.
I think how you feel about the episode will be influenced by the above. There was a backlash to DS9's more cynical take on Roddenberry's hopeful future and this story includes some bleak moments of humanity. Interestingly though, you rarely hear the same level of protest in episodes depicting space battles.
Having an arc about a war needs an episode like this to make it feel like a conflict is happening. For me, like 'Rocks and Shoals' it deserves credit for not glorifying it. The writers use characters like Quark, Ezri, and Sisko well to show and point out the moral compromises required to protect the Federation from Dominion conquest.
All actors do a great job and it's hard to pick a standout performance. Armin Shimerman has some of his most memorable scenes with great material for his character. Likewise Aron Eisenberg. Avery Brooks is also great as he manages to convey plenty of regret and revulsion into most scenes of dialogue. The short scene involving Sisko and Worf near the end works very well.
Considering the budget restraints Star Trek works with and what it attempts to portray in this episode, I think it achieves a lot.
- snoozejonc
- Aug 26, 2023